I Went to a Book Launch for We are Dandy

There are two traditions of dandy style. You have the original subdued Beau Brummell (1778-1840) tradition, and then you have the following and more extravagant dandy tradition initiated by personalities like Count Alfred d’Orsay (1801-1852) and Oscar Wilde (1854-1900).

Gold, silver, perfume, silk. The lavish Count Alfred d’Orsay.

The dandy conflict

People identifying a bit with the Brummell tradition, myself included, have a hard time recognizing their lavish peers. In short, the Brummellians think the Orsays look silly. Instead of focusing on cloth, fit and quality as such, the lavish dandies are pretenders. If it looks good, it is good, they say. That is not enough to a Brummellian.

The book launch in Florence in January for the book We are dandy by Rose Callahan and Nathaniel Adams, the follow-up to I am dandy, became a meeting between the two groups. Clearly, the books fit into the camp of lavish dandies. However, the reception attracted men in well-fitting simple attire too, for instance Edward Sexton, Grey Fox and Butler, who all, by the way, have been portrayed in We are Dandy.

Search The Archive

Visit The Webshop

Recent Comments

About Sartorial Notes

The publication is a leading European blog and journal about bespoke tailoring, handmade shoes, fine shirts and all those major and minor components that create true style. Torsten founded Sartorial Notes (then The Journal of Style) in 2011. The webshop GRUNWALD supports Sartorial Notes commercially. You can contact Torsten on Facebook.